Trees and television reception - Advice

TV Reception and the law

There is no legal requirement to rectify a loss of television signal. Interference due to trees is not at present a legal matter

What to do if you have a suspected problem

Many cases of interference are caused by inadequate or faulty aerial installations. Therefore it is important to ensure that all other causes have been ruled out. It is often cheaper and easier to resolve these issues rather than resorting to tree pruning.

If you have a suspected problem with trees interfering with reception you should contact an approved installer to ensure the following.

• The correct equipment is installed and the parts and connectors are in good condition, working properly, properly located and securely attached to the property.
• Check for any obstructions other than trees.
• Accurately positioned to pick up the strongest possible signal.
• Relocate the dish/aerial further from the trees or higher on the property to improve the signal where this is possible.
• Install boosters or amplifiers to improve the signal.
• Ensure no interference with the signal from electrical appliances.
• Ensure there is no interference from unwanted signals e.g. emergency services, mobile phones etc.

If the system has been checked and found to be in full working order and all other possible faults ruled out, we suggest you get written confirmation from the engineer who undertook the check that the trees are the major problem with the signal.

What Cestria will do

• In cases where a report by an approved installer confirms that trees are a significant factor in poor reception and there is reasonable chance that the situation can be significantly improved, tree work will be considered.
• These works will be undertaken as resources allow. It may be that the works will not be undertaken straight away as safety and higher priority works will have to be undertaken first.

What Cestria will not do

• Fell or heavily prune tree where TV reception is the sole reason for the works
• Undertake works where there is doubt on the cause of the poor reception or where other issues are a significant factor
• Undertake works to trees where other options for resolving the issue have not been attempted such as the relocation of the aerial.